A Good Deal Better?

Global Witness has analysed and made public two “production sharing agreements” signed by the Ugandan Government and international oil companies in February 2012. They determine what share of oil revenues the Government of Uganda will get and almost every aspect of its relationship with the oil companies. This is the first time this information has been made public.

The analysis in this report shows that the Government has succeeded in negotiating a better financial deal in these contracts compared with older contracts – for which it should be congratulated. But there are some significant weaknesses that still need to be addressed. The contracts lack some important human rights and environmental safeguards. This is of particular concern given the unique habitats of the oil region in Uganda which sits on the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Nile River.

To see how Uganda’s oil money will be shared and evaluate the new contracts against the old contracts, see our revenue infographic above.

"Citizens need to know how their resources are being managed and how it affects them – that’s why we’ve published these contracts. Contract transparency in the oil, gas and mining sectors is accepted best practice; the Government of Uganda should publish all contracts, existing and future. It is undemocratic not to"
George Boden, Global Witness campaigner